In this new media universe, what does it mean to be a writer?
Is blogging writing? Is my web video monologue writing? Is an ad-libbed variety show with pre-planned guests writing?
As the Writers Guild of America strike continues, writers around the country are asking these questions. Yesterday, Ed Champion (who took that photo) asked WGA President Michael Winship what was writing and what wasn't writing on Jon Stewart's Daily Show. The answer was complex as the question:
"He cannot write questions in advance for interviews, for example. He cannot write the monologues, as I said. He cannot write any kind of sketch material for the show...But if he has a guest on the air whose book he has read and he asks questions off the top of his head, that is not struck work."
The whole strike depends on the definition of "writing." There's no standard industry price to pay a writer for a blog post, a web video, or a podcast. As these forms multiply, it's becoming harder and harder for writers to get a fair-wage
Don't take these questions for granted. Should Jon Stewart's show be on the air without writers?
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To me the fact that the WGA would prohibit John Stewart and other show hosts from both using writers as well as writing their own material is part of the reason people are inclined against unions these days. He can't write questions ahead of time? He can't write out sketches? Sounds like strong-arming to me. The thing is that the show will probably be even funnier now that the host has to improvise. I hope he's good at mapping out his ideas in his head.
Posted by: Kimberlee Morrison | January 8, 2008 4:02 PM | Permalink to Comment